Hurricanes Release Halak From PTO

After joining Carolina on a professional tryout earlier this month, goaltender Jaroslav Halak and the Hurricanes have parted ways.

Halak first entered the scene in Raleigh on Nov. 6 following Freddie Andersen’s absence due to blood clotting.

The 38-year old had spent 17 seasons in the NHL, including the 2022-2023 campaign with the Rangers, where he earned a 10-9 record, while recording a .903 save percentage in 25 games.

Halak has appeared in 581 games, compiling 295 wins and 53 shutouts with a .915 save percentage.

With the mutual parting, Carolina will stick with veteran Antti Raanta and Pyotr Kochetkov moving forward.

This season, Raanta has tallied a 5-2 record with a .885 save percentage over eight appearances, while Kochetkov sits at 1-4 with a .876 save percentage in five games.

Despite the lack of an AHL affiliate, Rod Brind’Amour is comfortable moving forward with three goaltenders in their system in Raanta, Kochetkov, and Yaniv Perets, who was an undrafted free agent and is currently with the Norfolk Admirals of the ECHL.

“We have three [goalies] in the organization at the moment, so until that becomes an issue, it’s not an issue,” said Brind’Amour when speaking to Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal.

While Raanta has experienced his fair share of injury issues in the past, including last season, he has remained healthy through the season’s first month. Kochetkov, thanks in part to the previous injuries to Raanta and Andersen, has continued to gain more experience at the NHL level, including 24 games last season.

With the timeline for Freddie Andersen’s return is uncertain, the Hurricanes are confident in their goaltending duo.

Carolina returns to action on Wednesday, when they welcome Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers to Raleigh. If the Hurricanes continue their goaltending rotation, Kochetkov would take over in net.